Minister orders study into labour issues at Vizhinjam port
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Mr. Sivankutty here on Saturday on the directions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The meeting was held following complaints by trade unions that headload workers were being denied work at the Vizjhinjam port.
The unions had demanded that steps be taken for the headload workers to continue their current work in areas that came under the jurisdiction of the Customs.
The port authorities informed the meeting that with the second phase development of the port under way, the headload workers would be provided suitable jobs.
The study would look into the job sectors there and the workers who worked in those sectors, the total number of workers as per the Kerala Headload Workers Act, how many contractors did they work under, and if any section of workers had lost work in any sector.
The Minister said Mr. Sunil would submit the study report within a month.
Till then, status quo would be maintained.
Labour Secretary K. Vasuki, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd. Managing Director Divya S. Iyer, Mr. Sunil; Vizhinjam port authorities, and representatives of trade unions took part in the meeting.
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